Content
- Why do carnivorous plants form funnels?
- This is how the funnel of a tube plant works
- Enzymes provide for digestion
- Maintain hose plants in the house
- Tube plants are usually hardy
- Tips
The tube plant forms funnels to catch their prey in it
Why do carnivorous plants form funnels?
Meat-eating plants try to catch their prey in very different ways. They form cans, trappers or, like the tube plant, funnels that attract insects. Once caught in it, mosquitoes, flies and other insects have no chance to escape.
This is how the funnel of a tube plant works
In the tube plant leaves form the trap. They curl up to form a funnel that is wide at the top and tapers down. The larger the upper funnel diameter, the larger the insects can be. Even wasps can catch the tube plant with its goblet.
The color of the funnel attracts insects. In addition, the trap exudes a sweetish scent that is very attractive.
Once an insect settles on the edge, it slips off and falls directly into the liquid at the bottom of the funnel.
Enzymes provide for digestion
So that the prey animals can be digested, the liquid in the funnels contains different enzymes. They decompose the prey animal and deprive it of the nutrients - especially nitrogen and minerals.
There is hardly anything left of the prey itself. Only the Chitinpanzer and the legs of insects are indigestible.
Maintain hose plants in the house
If you want to keep a tube plant in the house, you need a very bright place. Well suited is a sunny south window.
In addition, because the plants require high humidity to form many funnels, they can be easily pulled in a terrarium or under glass. Of course this only applies to the smaller species of this carnivorous plant.
Like all carnivorous plants, perennials do not tolerate calcareous water. Pour it only with rainwater or alternatively still mineral water.
Tube plants are usually hardy
In winter, inflorescences grown in the room are kept cooler. Make sure that the humidity does not drop too much. The plant substrate should never completely dry out.
Tips
Tubular plants can also be kept very well on the terrace. The funnels are very decorative, especially as they have a reddish color depending on the species. Unlike other carnivores, they tolerate low minus temperatures and can be wintered outside.